Michael Kafari (born October 30, 1991) is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays as a defensive midfielder for AC Syracuse Pulse in the National Independent Soccer Association..[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1991-10-30) October 30, 1991 (age 30) | ||
| Place of birth | Accra, Ghana | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | AC Syracuse Pulse | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2013 | New Mexico Lobos | 82 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012 | Austin Aztex | 2 | (0) |
| 2014 | Charleston Battery | 0 | (0) |
| 2014 | Sporting Kansas City | 0 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Puerto Rico FC | 32 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Motala | ||
| 2019 | ASC San Diego | 3 | (0) |
| 2019 | New York Cosmos | 6 | (0) |
| 2020 | Detroit City | 8 | (1) |
| 2021 | New Amsterdam | 7 | (0) |
| 2021 | Chicago House | 14 | (0) |
| 2022– | AC Syracuse Pulse | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 April 2022 | |||
Kafari played college soccer at the University of New Mexico between 2010 and 2013.[2]
While at college, Kafari appeared for Premier Development League side Austin Aztex in 2012.[3][better source needed]
Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected Kafari in the third round (No. 51 overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.[4] However, he wasn't signed by the club, instead joining USL Pro side Charleston Battery.[5]
Kafari left Charleston without making a league appearance, but was later signed by Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City.[6]
After two years away from the professional game, Kafari signed with North American Soccer League side Puerto Rico FC in July 2016.[7] He was released at the end of the 2017 season.[8]
On 22 April 2018, Kafari joined Swedish fourth-tier club Motala.[9]
On 27 August 2019, he joined New York Cosmos.[10]
In April 2021, Kafari joined National Independent Soccer Association side New Amsterdam FC ahead of the spring 2021 season.[11] He went on to play in all three of New Amsterdam's matches during the NISA Legends Cup and appeared in seven of the team's eight regular season games.